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The best soundbars for 2023
Here’s a list of the best soundbars you can buy as chosen by Engadget editors, plus tips on what to look for while shopping.
Devialet’s huge soundbar might not need a separate subwoofer
French audio maker Devialet is best known for speaker collaborations, unique designs – and often heady prices. Having experimented with UK broadcaster Sky, the sound company is ready to launch its first solo soundbar for TVs, the Dione. And it’s huge.
Polk's latest soundbar packs Dolby Atmos in an ultra-compact design
At just 14.5 inches wide, the MagniFi Mini AX won't take up much space in front of your TV.
Bowers & Wilkins' $999 Panorama 3 is its first Dolby Atmos soundbar
Bowers & Wilkins says its first Dolby Atmos soundbar is an all-in-one setup that doesn't need a subwoofer.
Sennheiser will debut a more affordable Ambeo soundbar this year
Sennheiser's Ambeo soundbar is impressive, but it's also expensive. The company plans to offer a cheaper alternative in 2022.
So you've bought an OLED TV — now what?
Here's a list of the best accessories to buy for your OLED TV, plus tips to make the most out of your new set.
Presenting the Best of CES 2021 finalists!
Here are the finalists for the official 2021 Best of CES Awards.
Cowin's $80 soundbar splits in half for easy surround sound
Cowin's new $80 soundbar snaps in half to make a surround sound system that's both easy and affordable.
Tidal now streams Dolby Atmos Music to compatible soundbars and TVs
After unveiling Dolby Atmos music for Android devices last year, Tidal is now bringing the tech to a more appropriate format. The service has started rolling to any soundbars, TVs and AVR home theater systems equipped with Dolby Atmos tech.
Amazon is bringing Fire TV to cars and Dolby Atmos to its soundbars
Amazon plans to bring its Fire TV platform to in-car entertainment systems. Today, Amazon announced that Fire TV Edition for Auto will appear in future BMW and Fiat Chrysler vehicles. It will include access to Alexa, a touchscreen interface and offline playback capabilities. Content will be available through the vehicle's WiFi or LTE connection, a mobile hotspot or a WAN-enabled device.
Roku makes it easier to connect soundbars and receivers to its TVs
First we got speakers for Roku TVs. Then, Roku gave us a soundbar and subwoofer. Now, the company is opening things up with Roku TV Ready, a new initiative that simplifies connecting soundbars and receivers to its TVs. Once those audio devices are plugged in, the Roku sets will automatically recognize them, turn off their internal TV speakers, and let you control the volume and other settings from your Roku remote.
TCL's first soundbars ship this spring
TCL is getting into the soundbar game -- no, for real this time! Last year, the company announced the TCL Roku Smart Soundbar, the first product in a new line of Alto-branded audio hardware. The problem? That soundbar never actually shipped. We're not sure what happened, but it hasn't stopped TCL from pursuing its home speaker aspirations. Today, the company has unveiled two new soundbars: the Alto 5 and 7. The former is 31.5 inches wide and designed for 43-inch or larger TVs. The latter, meanwhile, is 36 inches long and meant for 55-inch or higher panels.
Harman Kardon outs pair of sleek soundbars with prices starting at $599
Some would argue that soundbars aren't necessarily a must-have in one's home entertainment system, but there's no doubt a good set can certainly take the viewing and listening experience to another level. To wit, Harman Kardon has chosen IFA 2013 as the platform to unveil a couple of new, audiophile-grade soundbars, the Sabre SB 35 and SB 26. For starters, the top-of-the-line SB 35 model carries a cool $999 price tag, bringing with it qualities such as 1.75-inch drivers and 1-inch tweeters, Dolby Digital TrueHD / DTS HD Decoding, plus Bluetooth connectivity and access to three HDMI ports -- Harman says that given its mere 1.25-inch in depth, it's the slimmest multi-channel 8.1 bar on the market. The SB 26, on the other hand, comes in slightly cheaper at $599 and sports dual-driver, two-way speaker modules that are powered by a pair of 3-inch, "mid-range" drivers and a 1-inch dome tweeter. Naturally, choosing the entry-level model means potential buyers will miss out on SB 35-specific features like Harman's Wave surround mode, which utilizes "advanced digital signal processing to deliver a realistic surround sound." (There's also one less HDMI incision, and we all know how important something as ubiquitous as that can be.) The company didn't say when we can expect these to be up for grabs; in the meantime, though, check out the PR after the break to go over all the audio nitty-gritty before deciding which SB soundbar is the one for you. Follow all of our IFA 2013 coverage by heading to our event hub!
Proficient Audio launches MaxTV MT2 speaker box, soundbars start job hunt
If Proficient Audio's new MaxTV MT2 speaker box is anything to go by, the company obviously isn't enamored with the latest slew of slim, elegant soundbars. As the picture shows, it's designed to act as a platform for your TV and can support up to 160 pounds -- enough for even the biggest of flatscreens. The hard, no-grille design shows off the box's two 1-inch tweeters, four 2.5-inch mid-range speakers and two 5.25-inch, down-facing subs. Four internal 20-watt, two-channel digital amps take care of the power, and with two of those dedicated to the woofers, we'd expect some serious neighbor-waking bass. It's not just for your TV either, as the built-in Bluetooth supports audio streaming from any of your favorite gadgets. The soundbar-on-steroids is shipping now for 599 bones, and if that sounds a little steep, Proficient Audio assures you that "once someone hears the difference MaxTV makes, they will buy it." Update: We've been informed the unit has a detachable grille (pictured below the fold) which is held in place by samarium-cobalt magnets to ensure no unwanted vibration.
Toshiba tries its hand at home theater audio with the SBX4250 Sound Bar
Toshiba has long been acquainted with the visual facets of home theater setups, and now the firm is entering the audio side of the equation with the SBX4250 -- the first in a line-up of sound bar speaker systems. Featuring SRS TruSurround HD and accompanied by a wireless subwoofer, the strip packs two tweeters and four speakers in a 3.6-inch tall, 2.2-inch deep and roughly three-foot long form factor. In addition to the included HDMI and optical audio inputs, the box boasts Bluetooth connectivity for streaming audio from PCs, tablets, smartphones and other compatible devices. For those willing to part with $329.99, the 300-watt rig can already be snapped up online and at select brick-and-mortar establishments. Check out the glamour shots and the full press release below.%Gallery-162424%
Orbitsound announces T9 iPhone-friendly soundbar, we go ears on
You may remember seeing Orbitsound's T12 iPod dock / soundbar pop up in our summer buyer's guide. Today, the firm's just unveiled the latest in its product family: the Orbitsound T9. As you'll see, it's a very similar deal, but with an obvious difference -- its size. At 300mm (about 12") across, it's almost exactly half the length of its bigger brother (605mm) -- but not everything is a straight cut down the middle. Power-wise, this diminutive dock has a power output of 140W RMS (split 80 on the subwoofer, 35 on the front speakers and 25 on the sides,) and carries the same in- and output options. That means optical, line (phono and 3.5mm) and an iDevice connector going in, and a composite video (for piping those movies on your iPhone to your telly) in the other direction. The included subwoofer helps the device perform the dual roles of iPod dock, and TV soundbar. It's launching in mid-July in UK retailers, and internationally online for £200 / $249. Luckily, we managed to get our hands on one of the first production models, and took it for a spin, so boogie on past the break for our impressions.%Gallery-158189%
JVC announces ACR-equipped TH-BC3 sound bar
Sound bars are nothing revolutionary, but JVC's newly announced TH-BC3 packs a few features worth mentioning. At the top of the list is the inclusion of an HDMI 1.4 enabled ARC (Audio Return Channel), which allows for simplified wiring since audio can travel in both directions through the HDMI cable. Additional connectivity options include one analog input and two digital audio inputs (optical and coaxial) plus a subwoofer pre-out. A slick push-open iPod / iPhone dock is another nice edition especially when combined with a composite video output. In terms of more general specs, the device features 30 watts per channel, a built-in FM tuner, and SRS StudioSound HD which is basically a branded complication of SRS TruSurround HD and SRS TruVolume. SRS TruVolume is designed to eliminate volume changes when switching sources while TruSurround HD can convert up to 6.1 channels of audio for playback over two speakers. JVC says the speaker will be available in February for $249. If that's above your budget, the TH-BC1 is essentially the same product minus the ARC and iPod dock and will be available this month for $149.
Sony magically adds third dimension to new soundbars, 5.1 sound system
The 3.1 channel HT-CT350 and HT-CT150 soundbars a) don't require special glasses to use and b) look fairly flat to us, but -- along with the 1,000 watt HT-SF470 5.1 surround system -- but the magic is in their HDMI repeaters (three inputs, one output) capable of 3D and standby passthrough just like Sony's latest higher end equipment. The 400 watt HT-CT350 steps it up by shipping with a mounting bracket that affixes it to bottom of select 40-inch (and up) 2010 BRAVIA HDTVs, while the 340 watt HT-CT150 attaches to select 32-inch sets. You'll also find LPCM support via HDMI and BRAVIA Sync compatibility, and if you're drinking the Kool-Aid, you can find the 40-inch CT350 on sale next month for $400, the 32-inch CT150 retailing for around $300 and the 5.1 SF470 hitting shops in June for $550. %Gallery-91405%
